Sunshiny Birthday

Awoke at about 7am to see the burning sun just outside our bedroom window ... perfect 32nd birthday weather!

Charlie looked after Penny so I could have a lie in, then popped downstairs to open cards and let Penny play with the envelopes.  So kind of people to send cards, plus various nice online messages.

Justina couldn't bear the idea of us having cereal, and so made biscuits (southern US style biscuits, kind of like English muffins) with mushroom sauce and egg style tofu ... again, so yummy!  Charlie also popped out with David to have a ride on his Ducati motorbike, and I think he really enjoyed the adrenalin.

Then we spent the day driving round in the sunshine, with the boys playing ball in the park, popping into a few shops, seeing where D&J will soon get legally married, then finishing high up at the Oasis to see the burning red sunset.

A great day, finished off by watching a film 'Friends with Benefits' (cheesy but fun) in the hot tub with beer and birthday cake ... oooooh yeeeeeeah!

Birthday Bliss

Woke at 9am, couldn't get back to sleep, so snuck out of bed so I wouldn't disturb Fish. Watched Saturday Kitchen with a cup of tea, buttered crumpets and two lovely kitties ... bliss!

Then to Drink, Shop, Do to chat, eat cake and drink tea with some lovely ladies, Norris, Kirsten, Erika, Natalie, Becky and Mink ... so lovely to see them all, and in such beautiful surroundings. Apparently an old bathhouse, they have filled the space with old style tables and quirky chairs, and serve tea in china cups and facsinating teapots. We even had some sherbert, sugar overdose!!

Then met with lots of others at Sen-Nin Teppanyaki for dinner, which was lots of fun. The chefs were as entertaining as at our last visit, with omelette throwing and egg tossing ... being the birthday girl I had try try tossing the egg into my chef's hat twice ... and I did it both times! What a miracle!

Food was delicious and fresh, though I became full very quickly after the afternoon's grazing.

Then we fortunately found an empty pub (The Famous Cock) right by Highbury and Islington tube to have a couple of drinks, and where I was presented with a beautiful jigsaw which everybody had drawn. Then back to ours, where the usually absent Azuzu responded favourably to the floods of people by being super-sociable and friendly, which confused Charlie-Fish no end!

Late to bed, very happy and pleased all the plans came together. Thanks to all who made it such a special day!

Photos will be forthcoming ... watch this space!

30 Years Precisely

What a brilliant birthday!

Woke up late this morning, was brought tea and breakfast in bed, and had a quick bath before being whisked off for my surprise birthday treat at the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew. We went round on the perimeter bus to have an overview of the site, and stopped off to look at incredible orchids, massive palms and to be overwhelmed by the Victorian architecture of the glasshouses.

Had dinner at the Hive (if anybody has any photos, please send!) with Charlie, Mum, Dad, Andrew, Matthew, Erika T, Erika S, Dan, Theresa, Demetris, Ryan, Kirsten, Alison, and Natalie, Laura W, Nathan and Caroline also came along later. After a lovely meal and some drinks, we pootled back to ours for some lazy drinks, some good Poppy lovin', and some indulgent watching of Simon's Cat.

Such generosity in lovely presents, great to have people join me on what has been a chilled out and fun day.